Beniers, Brisson, York Named to US National Junior Team
12/12/2020 2:12:00 PM | Ice Hockey
PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- Matty Beniers, Brendan Brisson and Cam York of the University of Michigan ice hockey team were named Saturday (Dec. 12) to the U.S. National Junior Team roster. Team USA will compete at the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 25-Jan. 5, in Edmonton, Alberta.
Beniers began his Michigan career on a four-game point-scoring streak of two goals and three assists and is fourth on the team in scoring with six points. Beniers was a member of the bronze medal team at the 2019 U18 Men's World Championship and spent two seasons with the National Development Team Program, and was second on the team in scoring last season with 41 points as an alternate captain. Beniers has been centering the top line at camp with Cole Caulfield (Wisconsin) and Matthew Boldy (Boston College) on the wings.
A 2020 first-round draft pick of Vegas Golden Knights, Brisson has seven points in eight games for the Wolverines, ranking third on the team in scoring. He collected a point in each of his first three games and has a point in five of eight contests, with assists on two game-winning goals. Brisson was the 2020 USHL Rookie of the Year with the Chicago Steel and was a member of the 2019 World Junior A Challenge roster.
The 2019 first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, York makes his second straight junior team roster appearance. York leads all Michigan defenseman in scoring and is sixth in the nation with five points (two goals, three assists) in eight games. A finalist for the Big Ten Rookie of the Year last season with 16 points, York has played in three IIHF events, wining silver (2018) and bronze (2019) at the Under-18 Men's World Championships.
Team USA will face Russia in its first preliminary game on Dec. 25 at Rogers Place, with opening faceoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. The U.S. squad will compete in In Group B with Russia, Austria, Czech Republic and Sweden.
Behind the bench for USA will be Michigan assistant coach Kris Mayotte. This is his third time on the staff, and helped the team capture gold at the 2017 World Juniors.
The U.S. is seeking its fifth medal in six years after earning four consecutive medals: bronze (2016, 2018), gold (2017) and silver (2019). Michigan players have earned 17 medals with USA Hockey at the World Juniors since 1980.
